Worried because of clubbing

[Max79]

I am extremely terrified that I was infected with HIV last night.



I went clubbing for a couple of hours. Before going home I decided to stop at McDonald’s for a snack. While ordering I realized that I had a trace of blood on one of my fingers (I don’t know if it was mine. Probably I touched a doorknob or something in the club).



I tried to rub it off with my thumb but it was dried blood trace and did not want to come off. Then I licked my thumb and tried again – this time the blood went off.



I am now scared that dried blood from the finger would be transferred to my thumb and the to my mouth. Can I get hiv this way?



Is it reasonable? Should I be worrying? I read that HIV does not die instantly when the blood dries.



Thank you for your help.



Worriedsokuch

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Relax.  Most likely the blood was yours--some cut or nick you didn't notice, like an acne lesion you scratched without noticing. But even if it was someone else's blood, there is absolutely zero risk of HIV from such an exposure.  Nada, nichevo, nothing, nil, zilch. It simply does not happen.



Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[worriedinseattle]

I'm not the Doc, But once the blood dries, the HI Virus can no longer sustain itself and dies almost immediately.



CDC.gov has some interesting studies on this I was reading last week during my panic stage of my personal issues with a potential HIV exposure. All in all, I'd say you have no worries at all though.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

All comments that help reassure people at low risk are always welcome on this forum.  Thanks for yours.  Now you just need to apply the same reason and objectivity to your own exposure!  (To which I just replied.)



HHH, MD                 ;-)

[Max79]

Thank you Dr HHH very much.



Let me just understand that. Even if I had dried hiv + blood and a tiny amount would be in contact with my mouth as in the situation when I licked the thumb whih I used to rub the other finger which was dirty with dried blood.



I'm just confused and trying to find an explaination to get rid of this fear.



Sorry for the hassle and thank you very much.



Worriedsomuch

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Some people seem to believe that any exposure to an infection is enough to catch it; for example, if just one HIV virus particle enters the blood.  Not so.  It takes much more than that, and it varies from one kind of infection to another.  For HIV, it just takes much greater exposures than are possible for the kind of exposure you describe.  And swallowing HIV is an inefficient mode of HIV infection anyway. Infants breast fed by infected mothers, whose breast milk is loaded with HIV, sometimes do not get infected after swallowing a couple of ounces day after day.



I hope that helps.  Take my word for it:  it is probable that nobody in the world, among the millions with HIV, ever caught it the way you describe.



HHH, MD

[72Kent]

Doctor -- This post by you put a lot into perspective.  Thank you.

[supernervous]

Dr. H is an expert of experts and doesn't mince words.  I feel safe saying that he has a hefty task of keeping up with us, the worriers, and keeping us all informed and at ease.  I'm sure I'm not the only one thanking him for his expert advice, his candid approach, and his thoughtful comments.  He has brought a lot of us through personally trying times.  Most of all, I want to thank Dr. H for his patience, and for everything he does here for everyone here (including myself) who has found themself in panic mode.  Thanks.